SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE SUMMER 2011 OBV 15 YEARS OF CHANGE OBV is now on Facebook. Join our group. Stay Informed. ‘If you don’t vote’ London Mayor and GLA election poster TRIBUTE launch 2008. (from left to right:) Francine I have come to the end of a fantastic 10 year Fernandes, Simon Woolley, Richard journey with OBV. I arrived in 2001 to offer Sudan, Winsome-Grace my services as a volunteer and got a small but Cornish, Leon Green, unexpected paycheck the end of the month. Ashok Viswanathan, US intern Celina Chan and Faz Hakim. It’s been a rollercoaster ride – the anxiety before thousands arrive for an event and tremendous high when happy smiling faces leave the venue. Over the years our small team has done a Christmas in Rome tremendous amount of work, which is nowhere 2006: Staff on a one day near captured in this special 15 year anniversary trip to see the ruins – Louise Alexander, Ashok magazine. There is still an enormous task ahead, Viswanathan, Sanjay and the hard work continues by the dedicated Mistry, Faz Hakim, Leon team, including volunteers and interns, both local Green, Rafiq Maricar, Francine Fernandes. and international whose invaluable help and enthusiasm spurs us all, urged on by our Director to ‘worry the work like a dog worries a bone’. I have worked alongside a great number of awesome people who have generously supported OBV’s work, and on behalf of the team I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the thousands who Contents have taken part in our programmes; to those who have become magistrates, politicians or P 4 OBV’s 15 year celebration! appointed to serve in boardrooms around the Simon Woolley tells the inside story about how OBV country; to those who have tried for elected was formed – and how it powers black politics today. office, and will try again; and to those who are inspired, empowered and challenged to take a P8 Six of the best! place among the trailblazers who stand in the gap Ashok Viswanathan remembers the campaigns that for communities marginalised by society. helped OBV to ‘hit the ground running I honour and thank the scores of politicians P11 Celebrating success and magistrates who have given their time as Graduates and their political mentors speak about mentors; court officials, staff and civil servants the influence and impact of OBV’s community who work quietly behind the scenes; the campaigners, organisations and individuals that empowerment programmes, support us; to our alumni and the vast wider P19 Breaking bread membership, including those who year after year Adeela Shafi , Matilda MacAttram , Merlene Emerson join us for our events, thank you; and to every new person reading this, welcome. and Cllr Lester Holloway recount their political journeys: Happy Birthday OBV, well done! Winsome-Grace Cornish MBE, P23 OBV - Fifteen years on the road former OBV Communications Director P31 Lahore to London: Ajmal Masoor, reflects on Britain’s Asian communities Editor: David Shosanya P32 Vision of unity: Winsome–Grace Cornish Ali Hadawi CBE Sub Editor: Art Direction: Ade Sawyerr looks at the future for African and Lester Holloway Vortex Creative Ltd Caribbeans Contributors: Print: Press Masters Ashok Viswanathan Ade Sawyerr Publisher: P33 Raising aspirations: Ajmal Masroor Operation Black Vote College principal Ali Hadawi CBE worries about youths’ lack of ambition P34 Rousing the Sleeping Giant: Rev David Shosanya argues the black church can Operation Black Vote is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. Registered in Cardiff number 379770. wield power in politics 18 Victoria Park Square, London E2 9PB www.obv.org.uk 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OPERATION BLACK VOTE 3 1996 - 2011 OBV’s 15 year celebration! 1996 – 2011 Simon Woolley tells the inside story about how OBV was formed – and how it powers black politics today. There are many people who want to make a approximately how many black people could vote, but also, positive diff erence to their community and wider and critically, in which constituencies and how much of a society. For a multitude of reasons very few are lucky diff erence we could make. enough to fulfi l that dream or desire. In the offices of the 1990 Trust, at the Elephant and I’ve been extremely lucky. With Operation Black Vote I’ve Castle, I was able to show that the black British electorate been aff orded a unique platform that continues to make a was powerful way beyond its own perception. Collectively diff erence both for BME individuals and wider society. we had real political power to halt race inequality. The start of OBV’s journey? Wayne Douglas had died in John Major’s government had a majority of 21 seats, police custody and there were civil disturbances after it was but our vote could decide who wins in over 100 seats. ruled that no one would be held responsible for his death. Everyone’s jaw dropped. Operation Black Vote was born. Activist Derek Hinds met Lee Jasper in Brixton and told Despite having no money and no salaries everything him: “If we want change we must follow Malcolm X and use seemed possible. I remember walking into one the world’s the ballot box not the bullet or rioting.” most prestigious advertising agencies at that time with His words set off a chain reaction. “Woolley”, Jasper Jasper and Hinds, and literally turning down their off er of enquired, the day after the riots, “Can you fi nd out how working pro-bono for us, because we had decided that in many black people are eligible to vote? We’ve got to think the spirit of our vision only black creative groups would of a long term political strategy”. help with the job we were about take on. Advertising and At this time I was a volunteer for Charter 88 - an design gurus Trevor Robinson and Jon Daniels had easily organisation dedicated to democratic reform. I’d met Jasper convinced us that the empowerment of black Britain was at York Hall when he and Ken Livingstone had launched the their gig. Their poster campaign ’Spot the Black MP’ and National Assembly Against Racism. accompanying campaign fi lm shook the establishment. After three months research I not only found out Black people were voting and could not be ignored. The 4 OPERATION BLACK VOTE 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY MESSAGES FROM WESTMINSTER Far left: Simon Woolley meets Patron, Prince Charles, London “I am delighted to be sending a message String of Pearls Festival launch, St James Palace, 2002. OBV of support to Operation Black Vote on the contributed a leaflet for the Festival detailing the contribution occasion of your 15th Anniversary. of minority ethnic groups in Britain over 2000 years. (Far right top). Getting out the Black Vote: General Election day The work of OBV is a striking example campaigning Brixton 2008. (Far right below). Operation Black of success in meeting the challenge of the Vote Houses of Parliament launch 1996. Election campaign Big Society, by putting more power and posters. (Below) Campaign posters. This page -Election Day opportunities in people’s hands. We need to interview. Mobile poster van and young voters 1997 Elections. draw on the skills and expertise of all people across the country, as we respond to the social, political and economic challenges Britain faces. The MP Shadowing Scheme is one of a “The feeling that you number of successful programmes run by OBV since it came into being. The Government has valued the work carried can make a difference to out by OBV, to promote the councillor and magistrates roles, which has peoples lives is, frankly helped to enable Britain’s diverse local communities to be increasingly represented in the local democratic process. I know that Andrew Stunell, one of the best feelings in as Minister with responsibility for race equality, is only one of the politicians to act as a mentor under the scheme, who can bear witness the world.” to its effectiveness. And I am delighted to be able to share the floor of the House of Commons with Helen Grant MP, and alumna of the scheme who is now the Conservative Party’s first female African Caribbean MP. I wish Operation Black Vote every continued success. “ DAVID CAMERON, PRIME MINISTER “I’ve seen the work OBV does first-hand having had the privilege to take part in the mentoring scheme last year. I know that thousands of people have benefited from this scheme and the many other programmes and events that OBV organises. There is a clear problem with under- representation of people from black and ethnic minorities in all levels of politics. The work OBV does is really important in helping to tackle this issue by promoting engagement with politics for people from minority communities. I’d like to congratulate OBV on its 15th birthday and wish them all the best momentum we had achieved could never be rolled back. for the next 15 years.” Imagine this. I’m a volunteer activist and I receive a call ED MILIBAND, LABOUR LEADER from the Shadow Home Secretary Jack Straw who we had asked to attend a meeting. “Yes, I’ll come, and if you “Operation Black Vote has worked incredibly don’t mind I’ll announce that if we win the next election hard to ensure ethnic minority communities the Lawrence family, the black community and Britain will are represented and listened to, and I want to have a Public Inquiry into Stephen’s death... Is that fine by pass on my warmest congratulations on its 15th you Mr Woolley”? anniversary. Everyone should feel empowered to Fifteen years later our remit is wider than Westminster.